EU funding helps ‘blue sky’ research meet the market
The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the winners of the latest competition for its top-up funding, ‘Proof of Concept’. A total of 67 researchers, who already hold ERC grants, have received up to €150,000 each to bring their pioneering ‘blue sky’ research closer to the market.
The projects cover everything from an exploration of the molecular foundations of psychiatric disorders to technological innovations that could help rescue skiers caught in avalanches or measure extreme waves. More information on projects can be found here.
EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said: “The funding announced today will help turn ideas into innovation. The ERC Proof of Concept grants encourage a new type of thinking amongst researchers, backing them to make the most of their ‘blue sky’ research. This mindset will help European recovery and improve our quality of life.”
In this second round of funding, grants have gone to researchers in 13 countries across the European Research Area: the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Ireland, Israel, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Italy.
ERC President Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon commented: “I am delighted to see such pioneering projects in the latest Proof of Concept competition, selected through a fine-tuned peer review process. This system is one of the ERC trademarks, which has gained high respect in the scientific community. A continued increase in demand for these grants illustrates the interest of scientists in exploring possible extensions of their research. This scheme is most welcome as it helps push the best fundamental research towards the market.”
A total of 147 proposals were submitted to this second round of the call. The budget of the entire call is €10m, of which nearly €5m is earmarked for this second round. The next call for proposals – Proof of Concept 2014 – is currently open to ERC grant holders with a first deadline on 1 April 2014.
